Tube cleanee



Feb. 25, 1 930. F. W. LINAKER ET AL TUBE CLEANER 'Filed April 12, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS By Attorneys, Mai

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1930- F. w. LINAKER ET AL TUBE CLEANER Filed A ril 12, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS: W M

UM By Attorneys,

i i Several embodim Patented Feb. 25, 1930 V j fimrrED STATES PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK WILINAKER AND THEODORE M. BEUIBACK, OF DU BOIS, PENNSYLVANIA TUBE CLEANER granted April 25, 1922, one of the present applicants. In the present improved construction, the opening and closing of the valve is automatically effected, through the opera- 115 tion of a singlemeans which operates both the valve and the element, the entire structure being simple; in construction, compact and reliable. v I c it entsof the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Beferring to said drawings, and Figures 1 to 7, inclusive, areviews of one embodiment, Figures'S to 11 views of a second embodiment very similarto the first.

Figure 1 is a sectional ,view end of a cleaning element; I Y I Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line I III, in'Figure 1;

' Figure 3 is a view'similar to Figure 2 show ing the parts in a'slightly different position; gFigure l is a sectional, view on the line .F m' j i r tFigure 5 is a detached view of the valve seat; I I Figure 6 is a deta'chedview of the valve d ;xa Figure 7 is a detached view of the locking member or pawl; V j

"Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 1, the valve seat and disk being in the form of cones; Fi ure 9 isa sectional view on the line of the valved IX- IX, Figure 8 c Figure 10 is a sectional view on the line l Figure 8 I j I Figure ll is :a top plan view of one of the I valve parts (62) shown inFigure 10, broken away at one end and detached from the other parts of the mechanism. a g

In each of the structures illustrated, the turning of the operating means serves to first 1923. Serial N0. 631,644.

i open the valve to admit steam to the cleaning or blowing element, and as its movement continues the element is turned from its initial position of rest through any desired arc to project jets of steam against the required range of tubes, during which movement the valve is held open, on the return movement the valve is again closed as the element is turned back to its position of rest. 1

Referring to Figs. 1 to 7 of said drawings: Numeral 10 designates the cleaning element, which extends through a sleeve 12 in the wall 14 of a boiler setting, or the like, into,

or adjacent to, a bank of tubes for cleaning the latter, by jets of steam, in well-known manner. An endof the cleaning element 10 also has a turning connection with a head 16,

which receives steamfrom a branch pipe 18.

The turning connection may be in the form of a gland 20, of usual construction.

controlling theflow of steam to the element 10. The valve 22 conveniently comprises a seat member 24, whichiis fixed uponthe element 10, as indicated at 25, anda disk or valve proper 27 turning on apivot 28, conveniently formed as a projection from the valve seat member 24. The valveiseat 24 and the disk 27 are provided with openingsor ports 29, 30, adapted when in registry to admit steam to the element, and when out of registry,to stop the flow of steam into the elehaving a'recess 37 therein, adapted to coact with a lug or projection 38, the pawl 36 in this embodiment being pivotally mounted upon the disk 27, as indicated at 39, and the lug or projection 38 being upon the seat mem-- ber 24.

The ports 29 and 30 are designed to be in registry when the lug 38 is inv the recess 37 of the locking pawl 36. During the turning of the cleaning element, it is desired that the The head 16 forms the casing ofa valve 22 I valve remain open, that is, that the ports 29 and 30 remain in registry. Means 42 are therefore provided for preventing the disengagement of the lug 38 from the recess 37 ofthe locking pawl during that part of the turning movement corresponding to the cleaning actionof the cleaning tube 10. In the present embodiment, this means 42 is conveniently a part of the inner wall of the head 16, which projects into close proximity to the pivoted locking member 36, preventing turning thereof, and thereby preventing the disengagement of the lug 38 from the recess 37 in said pawl. v

At the point where it is desired to close the valve, the means 42 for preventing disengagement of the lug 38 from the locking pawl 36, is providedwith a recess 43, or other suitable arrangement, which permits the pawl 36 to turn, and the lug 38 to thereby be moved out of engagement with said pawl. At the point where the valveis designed to be closed,

' means 47 are provided for preventing the further turni'ng of the valve part on which the pivoted pawl 36 is mounted, this being,

shown as the valve disk 27. These means conveniently comprise a pro ection 48 on the valve casing, and a coactmg pro ection 49 on the disk 27. The recess 43 and the'stop or projection 48 are so related in position that whenthe projection 49 strikes the projection 48 (thereby stopping the further movement of the valve disk. This means is conveniently of the disk 27') the pawl 36vmay move up into the recess 43, thereby permitting the lug 38 to move out of the recess 37 in the pawl 36 (see Fig. 2). *Means are preferably provided for stopping the movement of the lug-'38 :after passing out of engagement with the pawl 36, in'a'p'o'siti'on where the ports therein are out of registry with the ports 29 ,a projection 50, carried by the same part which carries the lug or projection 49, being in this embodiment the valve disk 27, and when the lug 38 comes into contact with the said lug 50, movement of the seat member 24 on which the lug 38 is mounted, is prevented,-

, and the valve parts 24 and 27 are stopped in position wi in either direction without the pawl 36 being able to turn to disengage said lug 38. Consequently, while the lng 38 is locked in the pawl 36,th'e ports 29 and 30 of the valve parts 24 and 27' are locked or held in open'relation.

- 029emti0n.l/Vhen notin operation, the

parts are in the positions shown inFig. 2,

the valve being closed. T 0 open the valve the means 33 (here shown'as a sprocket to be turned by a chain) is operated to turn the element 10 and seat member 24, thereby mov ing the lug 38 thereon from the position 2 shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3. During the initial movement the valve member 27 is prevented from turning by the engagement of the pawl'36 in the recess43- .(as-

shown in Fig. 2); when'the'lug 38'enters: the recess 37 in the pawl 36, its further movement turns thepawl to bring it'out of the recess 43 (see Fig. 3) and by, this movement of the seat member 24, while the valve member'27 remains stationary, the steam ports 30, 29, are brought into coincidence, thereby admitting steam into the element 10. At this time thelug '38 strikes the projection 53'on the valve "part 27 and initiates the turning of thetwo valve parts 24 and27 in unison.

This movementcontinues during the entire rotation of the element 10, so as to project ets into the boiler tube space through a pre-:

which the element is turned in the contrary selilbed a u s p, un il the far hest point of rotary movement isreached, after direction towarditsstarting point. On the return movement, when the lug '49 strikes the stop 48 on the valve casing-the lugs 48,,

49, come into'conta'ct, so that'further move- V ment of the disk 27iis prevented. At this time (see F 3), the pawl 36 isin position to turn into the recess 43. Continued move-- ment ofthe element -10 will cause the lug 38 I to turn the pawl 36 up into the recess 43 and the lug 38 will itself move out of'the recess 37 in the pawl 36, the valve seat 24 thereby moving independently of the valve disk'27, and bringing the ports'30 therein out of registry with the ports 29 of the said valvedisk 27, and thereby closing the valve. The valve part 24 is stopped in the closed position of the valve by the lug 38 thereon coming into 2 contact withthe projection 50.0n the valve part 27, which is atthis time held against movement by the contact of the'lug 49 thereon with the projection on the :valve casing i (,see Fig, 2). i v

Second embodiment-Referring to Figures 8 to 11 inclusive, the valve seat member is in the form of a cone 60, and the valve disk is in the form of a correspondingfcone 62. The member 62 is formed with a recess 63, within which there is fitted a pawl36-..

The pawl 36 has a hooked end'64 which is movable through an opening 65 in the recessed part of the' coiled-valve .62 into and out of engagement with a shoulder 66 in a recess 66 on the cap 67 in the positionof said valve 62 and valve seat-member 60 where i the ports 29 and 30 are out of registry. The pawl has an arm 68 adapted to be'struck: by a projection 38 onthe valve seat member 60. for turning the pawl 36v to carry the hooked portion 64 out of engagement with the shoulder 66 so that the valve 62'can be moved. When theprojection 38 bearsgagainst the arm 68 the recessed part 37 of said pawl is pressedand held against said projection 38",

so that the hooked end 64 may be carried past the shoulder 66 and continues to turn with saidprojection 38 when turned clockwise.

Inclinedfaces 69 are provided between the projection 38 and the pawl 36, but the inner pawl36Q into said recesses 66. After the I, in registry, and the element 10 may beturned Wall 7 0 of the cap 67 prevents the pawl 36 from turning on its pivot under the action of said inclined faces 69 when the projection '38 is turned counter-clockwise, and untilthe Vrecess'66 is reached, whereupon the inclined faces 69. act to push the hookcdend 64 of the serves as a trunnion in which saidvalve part 62 turns, and lock nuts 7 2 on the end of said pintle '72 serve to holdth'e said part 62in place.) Asocket 73 in said cap 67 may also beprovided, into which the end of said pintle 7 2'may'project and thereby support the overhand of the element 10 in the casing 16.

0pemtz'on.-The operating means33 turns the'element10, carrying the valve seat. member thereon, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 7 j inclusive. WVhen the projection 38, carried by the valve part 60, is engagd in the recess 37 of the pawl 36 earned by the valve part 62, the ports 29 and 30 are,

in either-direction, without closing the valve, so long 'as'the pawl 36"is kept away from theposition of the recess 66. hen the valve is to be closed, the element 10 is turned so far-that the lug 38 on the valve part 60 brings the pawl 36 to the position of the recess' 66. At this time the projection 49 on the'valve part 62 comes against'thefixed pro- 2 62' carrying the pawl 36 is thereuponstopped. Movement of the element 10 and valve part jection 48. The movement of the valve part 60 thereon, produces relative movement between' the valve parts 60 and-62, this being permittedby the fact that the incllned faces 69 'betweenthe pawl 36 and pro ection 38 on the valve part 60 move the said hooked end 64 of the pawl 36, into the recess 66 and allows the said projection 38 to move out of thepawl recess 37" toward the shoulder 71.

'When the projection 38 on the valve part 60' strikes the shoulder 71 on the stopped valve part 62,'the ports 29' and 30 are fully out of registry, and the part 60 carrying the lug 38' is stopped in this position; The position of the'parts at this time is shown in Figure 9.

To open the valve, the means 33 is operated to turn the element 10 in a clockwise direction, bringing the lug 38 into the recesses 37 in the pawl 36 and against the arm 68 thereby turning the hooked end 64 of the pawl out of the recess 66 and disengaging it from the shoulder 66, and when the lug 38 and recess 37 are fully engaged the ports 29 and 80. are completely in registry, and the movement in unison of the valve parts 60 and 62 begins (Fig. 10) After the pawl moves away from the recess 66 the lug 38 is locked therein and the two valve parts 60, 62, may be moved in either direction without closing the valve, inasmuch as the turning of the pawl 36 is prevented by the inner wall 70 of the cap 67. While the valve part 60 is being turned relatively to the valve part 62 (in the act of opening thevalve) movement of the valve part 62 by the friction between said parts is prevented by the engagement of said hooked end 64 of the pawl 36 (on the part 62) with the shoulder 66 on the fixed valve cap 67. V I

The inventive ideas herein set forth may receive other embodiments than those herein specifically indicated and described.

In any of the embodiments set forth it is desirable that the element be rotated either continuously or intermittently, as may be desired. For continuous rotation the part 33 may be the usual sprocket wheel engaged by a chain. For intermittent rotation (which formany practical reasons is preferable) the part 33 may be a ratchet wheel moved in one direction or the otherby a driving pawl,

such, for example, as the mechanism set forth in our application filed April 12, 1921, Serial WVhatis claimed is I 1. In combination, a rotary soot cleaner element, and a two-part valve for controlling the admission of steam thereto, one valvepart being fixed on said element, means for turning said element, said means also turning one of said valve-parts, and means operated by said turned-valve-part for connecting and disconnectingsaid valve-parts toone another, said valve-parts, when connected, moving together in open position, and, when disconnected, being relatively movable to open or closed position by the turning of said element-turning means. a c

2. In combination, a rotary soot cleaner element, anda two-part valve for controlling the admission of steam thereto, one valve part beingfixed on said element, means for turningsaid element, said means also turnmg one of sald valve-parts, and means operated by said turned-valve-part for connecting and disconnecting said valve-parts to one another, said valve parts, when connected, moving together in open position, and, whendisconnected, being relatively movable to open or closed position by the turning of saidelement-turning means, said connecting means comprising apivoted locking member on one of said valve parts. 7

3. In combination, a rotary soot-cleaner element, and atwo-part valve for controlling the admission of steam thereto, one valvepart being fixed on .said element, means for turning, said element, said means also turn-V ing one of said valve parts, and means operated by said turnedvalve-part for connecting and disconnecting said valve-parts to one another, said valve-parts, when connected, -mov-.

ing together in open position, and, when dis-' connected, being relatively movable to open or closed position by the turning of said ele ment-turning means, said connecting means comprising a pivoted locking member on one of said valve parts, and means for preventing I the turning of said locking member during the time said element 1s mov ng through a prescribed range of oscillation.

4. In combination, av rotary soot cleaner element, and a two-part valve for controlling the admission of steam thereto, one valvepart being fixed on said element, means for turning said element, said means also turning one of said valve parts, and means operated by said tnrned-valve-part for connecting and disconnecting said valve-parts toone another, said valve-parts, when connected,.mov. ing together in open position, and, when disconnectechbeing relatively movable to open or closed position by the turning of said ele-i i ment-turning means,-said connecting means comprising a pivoted locking member on one of said valve parts, means for preventing the turning of saidlocking member during the time said-element is moving through a prescribed range of oscillation, and means allowing the turninggof said locking member after one of said valve parts, and means operated by said turned-valve-part for connecting and disconnecting said valve-parts to one another,

said valve-parts, when connected, moving to v getherin open position, and, when. disconnected, being relatively movable to open or closed position by the turningofsaid ele-" ment-turning means, said connecting means comprising a pivoted lockingmember on one of said valve-parts, and a. stop for limiting the movement of the last mentioned valvep r i 6. In combination, a rotary soot cleaner element, and a two-part valve for control ling the admission of steam thereto, one

valve-part being fixed on saidelement, means for turning said element, sald' means also turning one of said valve parts, and

means operated bysaid turned-valvepart for connectin and disconnectin said valve- 5 a parts to one another,sa1d valve-parts, when connected, moving together-in open position,

and, when disconnected, being relatively movable to open or closed position by the, I

turning of said element-turning means, said connecting means comprising a pivoted lock-' ing'member on one of said valve parts,and a stop for limiting the movement of said" turned-valve part after movement ofa said other valve-part has been stopped.

7. In combination, a rotary soot cleaner element, and a. two-part valve for C011t1Ol-r ling the admission of steam thereto,-one

valve-part being fixed on said element,

means for turning said e'lement,'said means also turning one of said valve parts, and

means operated by said turned-valve-part for connectingfanddisconnecting said valveparts to one another, said valve-parts, Whenconnected, moving together in open position, and, when disconnect-ed, being relatively movable to open or closed position by the turn: ing of said element tiirning means, said connecting means comprising a pivoted locking; member on one oflsaid valve-parts, and a,

stop forlimiting the movement of the last mentioned valve-part, and meansflin conjunction with said stop all'owingthe turning of" said locking member forgpermitting the valve parts to be disengaged, whereby said turnedvalve-part may move to the desired position. 7

8. Incombination, a rotary soot cleaner element, and a two-part valve for controlling the admlss on of steam thereto, onevalver part being fixed on and turned with said-element and theother valve-part being mo-vable relative thereto, meansforturningsaid ele ment,,- and means operatedbysaid turnedclose said valve at valve-part for co'nnecting and disconnecting said valve-parts to one another, said valve-,

parts, when. connected, moving together in open position, and when disconnected, being Cit relatively movable to openor closed position,

by the turning of said element,said connecting means comprising a pivoted locking meme, her. on said othervalve-part, and a stop for limiting the movementof thepther valve.

part, and means in conjunctionv with said stop,

allowing the turning of said locking member for permitting the valveparts tobe disen-flr gaged, wherebysaid turned-valve-part may move tojclose said valveat thedesired posia tion, and a second stop for limiting the 'IHOVGP' ment of'said turned-valve-part after move ment of the other valve-part has been stopped.

9. In combinatiom'a rotary sootcleaner} element, and a two-part valve for controllingfltheadmissionoi steam thereto, one valve-part being fixed on and turned with said element, means for turning said element, and means operated by said turnedvalvepart "for connecting and-disconnecting said valve-parts to one another, said valve parts,

when connected, moving together in open,

position, and,'when disconnected, being rel-,

atively movable to open or closed position by the turning; of said element, said valve parts comprising a seat member and a valveqnemher, said turning means being connected to said element, 'and'said seat memberbeing element, and a two-part valve for controlling the admission of steam thereto, one

valve-part being fixed on and turned with said element, means for turnmg said element,sa1d means also turning one of said valve parts, and means operated by said turne d-valve-partfor connecting and dis-. connecting said valve-parts to one another,

said valve-parts, when connected, moving toget-her iniopen position, and, when disconv nected, being relatively movable to; open or a closed position by the turning of said element-turning means, said valve parts being i conical.

12. In a tube cleaner, a'rotary blower ele- Vment, a supply pipe, an intervening head forming a chamber, a valve within said 7 the element, and operating means for turning the element and an operative connection for ment, opera-ting means for turning the element and for operating the valve, adapted to open the valve as the element is turned from its initial position of rest, and to close it on the reverse return movement, and a lock for holding the valve open, movable with the rotating element, and a stationary retaining member for engaging the lock to hold it in looking position, except in the initial posi tion of rest of the element.

15. In a tube cleaner, a rotary blower ele ment, a supply pipe, an intervening head forming a chamber, a valve within said head controlling flow from said pipe into the element, operating means for turning the element and for operating thevalve, adapted to open the valve as the element is turned from its initial position of rest, and to close it on thereverse return movement and a lock for holding the valve open, movable with the rotating element, and a stationary retaining member for engaging the lock to hold it in looking position, said member having a recess coinciding with the normal initial positionof the lock to permit therelea-se of the lock andelosing of the valve in said position. In witness whereof, we have hereunto signed our names.

FREDERICK W. LINAKER. THEODORE M. BRUBACK.

operating the valve, located wholly within said chamber and adapted to open the valve 1 as the element is turned from its initial position of rest, and to close it on the reverse return movement, and to hold the the valve open duringthe remaining rotation of the element.

13. Ina tube cleaner, a rotary blower ele- 1 valve as the, element is turned from its initial posltion of rest, including meansfor locklng the valve in open position during the remainring rotation of the element, in said open position and adapted to close the valve on the return movement of the element. I a

14. Ina tube cleaner, a rotary blower element, a supply pipe, an intervening head forming a chamber, a valve within said head controlling flow from saidpipe into the ele- 

